Bollywood producers refuse to pay for stars' vanity costs

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli

After the new 12.36% service tax on their income, Bollywood actors just got another pay shock. This time, it’s not the government but the Producers’ Guild that has issued a diktat, asking them to bear the entire expense of their entourage, including makeup artists, hair stylists, drivers, spot boys and security. Earlier, it was the filmmakers who’d pay an actor’s staff.

“The service tax is already killing the producers who ultimately have to pay more fee to stars, and the staff of some of the actors were asking for exorbitant amounts. Some drivers and spot boys were demanding Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 a day. Makeup artists and hair dressers were asking for Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 a day,” said filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt, vice president of the Film and TV Producers Guild. He added, “The actors have now been told that the amount they pay to the staff will be included in their remuneration and no overheads will be paid separately.”

Kareena Kapoor in a still from Heroine (Representative pic)

While A-listers such as Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan have all signed the agreement, among those yet to concede are Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Deepika Padukone. The new protocol came into effect on July 7.

While the actors played safe by choosing to remain unavailable for comment, filmmakers are relieved. Producer Ramesh Taurani says, “It is totally fair, and hopefully the industry will abide by it.” Kunal Kohli says, “Some have gracefully shown the way by accepting the decision, and others should follow suit.” But, wouldn’t this change result in stars asking for higher overall fees? “If an actor demands a fee hike just because he has to pay his driver or makeup man from their own pocket, it’s not justified,” says trade analyst Joginder Tuteja. Htc